Firefighters gain today on Shasta County fire

REDDING (AP) &GT;&GT; Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are helping firefighters battling a wildfire that is threatening dozens of homes in rural Northern California, a fire official said today.

The Bully Fire in Shasta County, which authorities blame on marijuana-growing activity, had burned through more than 13 square miles, or 8,700 acres, as of Wednesday morning. But crews increased containment to 35 percent, up from 20 percent the previous day.

The fire was threatening 55 homes around the community of Igo, some of which remained under mandatory evacuation orders, state fire spokesman Dennis Mathisen said. Eight homes have been destroyed since the fire began Friday.

Mathisen said the weather began changing Tuesday after days of hot, dry conditions. Firefighters have also been hampered by steep terrain.

"We're certainly capitalizing on the change in weather," he said.

Eleven firefighters have suffered minor to moderate injuries while battling the blaze, including heat exhaustion.

A 27-year-old Sacramento man was arrested Saturday and accused of recklessly causing the fire when the exhaust from his truck ignited dry grass while he was delivering material to a pot site.